NIGERIAN TROOPS: Destroy Boko Haram, Rescue 800 Hostages

Nigerian troops have freed more than 800 people held by Boko Haram terrorists in multiple villages in the country’s restive northeast, the army said on Thursday.

All the hostages were rescued in Borno state with 520 recovered in Kusumma village on Tuesday after a confrontation with Boko Haram fighters, and a further 309 from 11 other villages under the Islamist group’s control.

“The gallant troops cleared the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating in Kala Balge general area,” army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement, adding that 22 “terrorists” were killed.

Three Islamists were killed and one was captured alive during the second raid on the 11 villages.

Usman said items recovered included arms, axes and a motorcycle.

The military operations came on the same day that Boko Haram abducted 16 women, including two girls, in neighbouring Adamawa state.

“We received report of the kidnap of 14 women and two girls by gunmen believed to be Boko Haram insurgents near Sabon Garin Madagali village”, said Adamawa state police spokesman Othman Abubakar.